Cellphones banned across Texas schools to curb screen addiction, 5 million affected

India Today

4 days ago

Texas has become the first US state to impose a statewide mandatory ban on student cellphone use in public and charter schools, affecting more than 5 million students. Under House Bill 1481, all school districts must prohibit the use of personal communication devices during school hours.Schools must either ban devices entirely from school grounds or require students to secure them in lockers, backpacks, or magnetically locked pouches. Devices covered include smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, pagers, and similar gadgets, though those provided by schools are exempt.advertisementDistricts have 90 days from the law's effect to adopt and enforce policies.
The bill, authored by State Rep. Caroline Fairly, R-Amarillo, was pitched as a means to boost young Texans' mental health.'The passage of HB 1481 marks an important step toward restoring focus and connection in our classrooms,' Fairly shared in a statement on Monday.'By creating a phone-free environment, we're giving teachers the tools to teach without disruption and students the space to learn, think critically, and engage with one another face-to-face," Fairly said."This bill puts education, not screen time, at the centre of the school day. I anticipate not only seeing major jumps in GPA's and test scores, but improvements in mental health and social wellbeing as well," Fairly added.RATIONALE: FOCUS, MENTAL HEALTH AND BULLYINGProponents argue the ban is crucial to reclaim classroom focus and reduce screen-related mental health issues.advertisementAs Representative Ellen Troxclair noted that excessive smartphone use has been tied to rising teen suicide rates, and students now receive over 20 notifications per hour in class.Research and educators alike have found that devices hamper attention and engagement.A Houston Chronicle editorial reported that schools using secure storage saw a 75% reduction in bullying incidents and a 13-point rise in test scores.EXCEPTIONS FOR MEDICAL AND SAFETY NEEDSThe law sets out clear exemptions for students who require devices for medical reasons or special education needs, provided these are supported by a physician's note.Critics and some parents raised concerns about emergency communication, particularly recalling the tragic 2022 Uvalde shooting, where trapped pupils used phones to call for help.Texas lawmakers addressed this by requiring that phones remain accessible in emergencies -- even if locked away during lessons.Some districts, such as Richardson ISD, report a marked improvement in teacher engagement, with 85% of educators agreeing that classroom time was reclaimed once phones were removed. Others, like Grandview ISD, employed locked pouches and witnessed students becoming more present and socially engaged during the school day.Texas joins at least nine other states, including California and Arkansas, in moving to limit in-class cellphone use. With mounting evidence linking smartphone dependency to classroom disruption, states are embracing stricter rules.advertisementAs districts fine-tune rules and tackle practicalities, Texas's bold step is likely to influence education policy elsewhere. The challenge now is to ensure smooth implementation without compromising student safety. Teachers, students, and parents will be watching closely as the new academic year begins.- Ends